Side Effects of Vaping

Recent scientific research is uncovering some more serious side effects of vaping.

For example, research conducted at the UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, shows vaping has the same effect as smoking when it comes to suppressing immune genes.

Exploring all the Negatives of E-Cigs

Before we discuss the vaping side effects, let’s get three important things out of the way first: Political Influence

Most online discussions regarding effects of vaping eventually become polluted with political garbage. Here’s why:

The vaping industry is booming like there’s no tomorrow. According to REJournals.com, The Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) predicted that the vaping industry would be worth more than $10 billion by 2017. Bloomberg suggested that in the United States alone there were more than 3,500 vape shops in 2013, and that number surely has grown a lot since then.

Like any other substance, this is not a complete list of its side effects. On the other hand, it’s true that some users never experience any of these uncomfortable problems.

Side Effects of Vaping – Myth or Fact

It is a fact that when you introduce any substance into the human body to which it is not accustomed, there can be side effects. So, no matter if you inhale, ingest or even just touch certain chemical substances, your body will show certain adverse effects.

E-liquids used for vaping are no different. But hey, even the safest foods we eat can sometimes result in side effects!

E-liquids contain three major components, including a VG/PG base, nicotine, and flavoring. These are either chemicals or substances derived through chemical processes. Therefore, it means that vaping will have certain side effects, which can range from temporarily dry mouth to serious health issues.

Vaping Side Effects & Research

Although it has a long history, its surge in popularity is a relatively new thing. We are talking about e-cigs and other clever vaporizers. Like other new habit-forming behaviors, such as Internet addiction or tanning dependency, this is a recent subject of research.

Amazingly, you can still find many studies on vaping. A worldwide survey gives more insights on its beneficial and negative effects in people’s minds. Some of the research report the adverse effects in current and former smokers are:

Dry mouth

Sore mouth

Headache

Tongue inflammation

Black tongue

Dizziness

Sleepiness

Sleeplessness

Allergies

Chest pain

Breathing problems

We can also observe some changes in some users’ emotional state, sexual performance and memory. Another study shows that the short-term effects that vaping has on the lungs are similar to the ones from smoking. Data shows some of the adverse side effects may entirely or partially resolve over time. It depends on various individual factors and the history of use.

Side Effects vs. Body’s Resistance to Accepting Vapor

Most of the side effects are usually temporary and nothing but an initial reaction by the body to vapor. Overall, when your body becomes regular to it, the side effects usually disappear within a few hours or days at most.

Lack of Long-Term Data

We are unaware of the long-term negative effects of vaping on the human body.

Vaping: Chronic Diseases & Data

Negative side effects are a fact, but when you compare it to smoking, the vaporizer seems more harmless. Let’s explore the relation between chronic diseases and vaping. The majority of users with chronic diseases, report improvement in their condition after switching from smoking to vaping. These conditions includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive lung disease. The public health social scientist Gerry Stimson confirms those results.

Vaping: Incidents & Usage

Some of the negative side effects of it may be because of improper usage. Vape explosions are some of the common incidents that can be very dangerous. Therefore, always familiarize yourself with the structure of your vapes and the nicotine levels in them.

Also, never forget that ingesting nicotine can be lethal. That’s why always keep your vaporizers away from kids and pets. If some pure nicotine falls on your skin, do not lick it but wash it off.

How to Minimize the Side Effects of Vaping

Fortunately, you can eliminate most side effects of vaping or at least reduce them by taking simple precautionary measures. Since there can be different reasons for different effects, let’s talk about each of them one by one.

Dry Mouth and Skin Issues

Dehydration due to vaping can cause dry mouth or dry throat, itchy, flaky, and red skin, and several other side effects. Vapor has the nature to attract water molecules from the surroundings, and you will feel it in your mouth.
If you experience any of these issues, drinking plenty of fluids can dramatically minimize the condition. Some of these side effects might be a blessing in disguise, e.g. dry skin in the case of people who have a very oily skin. However, staying hydrated is still essential.

Dizziness

Excessive nicotine intake can cause dizziness. If you’re feeling dizzy, you are probably taking more nicotine than your body can handle. This effect is commonly associated with sub-ohm when large plumes of vapor are entering your body. Luckily, fixing this issue is just a matter of switching to e-liquid with a lower nicotine strength, or vaping at a higher resistance.

Caffeine Sensitivity

Many people who switch to vaping, feel subtle withdrawals and tend to drink more coffee or other caffeinated drinks. Early days of using a vaporizer can cause caffeine sensitivity and result in anxiety and mood swings. Just reduce your intake of caffeine and all these symptoms will quickly dissipate.

Allergies

As we mentioned earlier, almost all e-juices come with a PG/VG base. Despite being considered “generally safe” by FDA, PG can trigger a few allergies. VG, on the other hand, is derived from vegetables and goes easy on your system. So, if you’re vaping high PG e-liquids and experience allergies, switching to high VG e-liquid can be helpful.

Canker Sores

Canker sores (don’t confuse them with cold sores) are small, shallow blisters inside the mouth; the cause has several reasons such as injury to the mouth, vitamin deficiency, acidic and spicy foods, hormone disorders, stress, and vaping.

However, vapor or e-liquids don’t have anything to do with canker sores, but failure to keep the mouthpiece clean is the issue. Anything you put into your mouth should always be clean, especially the e-cig mouthpiece that tends to accumulate a lot of gunk.

Is secondhand exposure dangerous?

The main difference between smoking and vaping is that there’s no burning of any substances in vaping. Therefore, there’s no combustion. As a consequence, it is not so dangerous to the people around us and the environment. However, studies show that various toxic substances are released during vaping. And that’s why they should implement more legal restrictions.

Secondhand Exposure & Risks

Although there’s no carbon emission in vaping, some researchers believe that secondhand exposure can be harmful. The allergist Chitra Dinakar reports that children are more sensitive to toxic substances. Doing studies that involve exposing someone to dangerous and harmful substances is not ethical. As a result, we cannot report some of the other negative effects of e-cigs.

The truth is that studies have actually found many toxic ingredients in the vapor. Some of them can even cause cancer. Therefore, we need strict restrictions on age and indoor and outdoor areas. We need more studies on the consequences of secondhand exposure. It is especially important concerning pregnant women and people with heart problems.

Vaping & Addiction

Like with any other habit, vaping can lead to addiction. Even pulling your hair as a compulsive need can become an annoying routine.

With the popularity of vaping in mind, some health charities are concerned that many minors might decide to start. Always educate your children or younger siblings about possible health dangers and risks of addiction.

Conclusion

A lot of research is currently underway to find out more negative side effects of vaping, but it will be a while before we get to see the results. Vaping side effects can be from short-term, minor issues to something so severe that you might have to stop vaping – though the latter is extremely rare. Therefore, we recommend keeping an eye on your health when you switch to vaping and immediately consult your doctor if you notice serious side effects of vaping.

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39 Comments

To people who are using vapers instead of smoking. Does anyone get bad side effects. Like painfully stomach acid and bloating. Dry mouth and hoarse voice and.ending up with difficulty trying to speak,.. I have c.o.p.d. .I don’t know if this is why I suffer so much with these side effects……it makes me feel so sick that i go back to cigarettes. I’m on this cycle. Any help or info would be much appreciated.. Thanks in advance.

I switched to vaping about 5 months ago. I was a two pack a day smoker for 20 yrs, so your mileage may vary. I noticed years ago that my health was going down. I am very active and workout a lot (I know it is counter intuitive), but everything just felt horrible. I would try to quit smoking and every time I would be horrible in the gym. This would be 2-3 months after quitting smoking. I think it was a mental thing, but quitting wouldn’t work and I would go back to smoking. I have to say that I thouroughly enjoy vaping and I feel great. It is the best I have felt in years. Granted, sometimes I do get an increase in heartburn and allergies, but that depends on the juice. Some affect it differently. I wish the best for you and stay away from the cigs! : )

Honestly vaping for a year and a half, I quit smoking cigarettes after 20 years of being a half pack a day smoker. I’ve never experienced shortness of breath of breathing through the mouth like this article claims, yet I used to get it all the time as a smoker. Am I out of the clear, no. But Will be easier to quit vaping than it was to quit smoking

I started smoking in the Army at age 19. Once I quit for a year, quit for three years, quit for two and quit for eight years and always started again. I’m sixty three now and started vaping three years ago but just quit smoking fourteen months ago. Though, I have smoking about a half pack, bumming from friends, in that time but have not bought any cigs. I started vaping with 26mg nicotine and am down to 16mg and am stepping lower each time I buy a 120 ml bottle of my favorite juice. I tried the tobacco flavors but they got to tasting bad and now I’m using a juice called Fairytale. It’s fruity and seems to satisfy me. As far as side effects…..I do feel somewhat congested at times but not much. No crackle in the throat like with cigs or cigars. I don’t do the BIG cloud thing. I just vape as a replacement to smoking. My wife is concerned and tagged me on this link and that’s why I’m here now.

If your having all of those side effects, try what the article said…change juice and reduce the nicotine. Example I’m gaping at 6, I would drop to 3 and see how it goes. In addition, you sound like there’s a lot more going on which the gaping might just be bringing to the surface. Good luck!!

I’ve had these effects aswell but I only have the effects when I’m excessively vaping at one period of time like I’ll take 30 hits in like 10 minutes because me and friends hot boxed aswell which the vapor they let out aswell reaches me (we all have atleast 150 watt vapes) so I think that if Your over doing it like that then yes it’ll hit you I used to smoke and I smoked 3 cigs in a room I’ll feel sick and nausea will effect me but that’s because I was over using it like my vape but that’s not the vapes fault but our own cause we’re not being responsible enough with our vapes and overuse the privaledge their used to help people quit cigarettes not look cool and blow the biggest clouds we possibly can with high wattage levels before it was a big thing and all you have where the $15 vape pens in gas stations (which I’ve used before getting a 80 watt then now I have a 200 watt) where only 15 watts and people didn’t use them so much since they’re just trying to quit cigarretes I feel like if people don’t stop abusing their privaledge then yes we’re gonna have negative effects and it may lead to more serious symptoms

the nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness can occur if youre vaping too much. the first day i transitioned to vaping, i threw away my cigs and i havent touched one since, that was 3 years ago. when i would get dizzy, light headed and nauseous, it was because i was vaping alot in a short amount of time. vaping 5ml of juice with a 6mg nicotine level in maybe a 45 minute time period is (for me) like smoking 10 cigs in 45 minutes. as for the heartburn, it really depends on the juice, flavor, and sometimes the wattage. if youre vaping a thicker juice with a flavoring that contains a higher amount of sweetener than your average juice at a high wattage, its going to be a very warm vape, and thats usually when people experience heartburn. i never had that issue though. the nasal cavity pressure and tingling in finger/toe tips ive never heard of anyone experiencing, id consult your doctor about that. the nasal cavity thing might (and thats a big might) be caused by an allergic reaction you may have. alot of shops out there who make their own juice are using disgusting methods of doing so, theres a shop 5 minutes away from where i live that i bought a flavor from and within a week of vaping on it i started to get sick. i swotched to another juice from another shop and my sickness went away. your safest bet is to buy juice from a trusted shop youve been to before or to buy from a trusted, well known website (such as vapordna). hope this helps you!

Try lowering your nicotine level and make sure you take a few breaths in between I know it sounds dumb but when i first started i was a hit after hit kinda person then when I realized i needed to breath it became a lot better

I’d like to find out what sort of assholes wrote this document as from leading researchers from WHO and cancer research UK have stated that its 95% safer than smoking and there are zero carcinogens in the vapour inhaled/exhaled. Best doing your own research than reading this garbage.

amen to that. its sad to see that rich greedy pigs (big tobacco) are still the main influence behind research on vaping. just wait though, eventually, some REAL research will pop up, go viral, and put these pigs into bankruptcy.

I have smoked 42 years the last 10 years on 20plus , now I went on a vapour on 4th October this year 2017 and still had no fag since then . I now have bit husky voice and bit shortness of breath so does anyone k ow if it’s my vapor or the fact it’s the muck coming up from my lungs .

I smoked for 20 years and soon as I picked up the vape, I never touched another smoke. I can’t even stand the smell of them now ( yea I’m one of those people lol) but when I quit I had a bad cough for like 6 months, your lungs are clearing the crap out… I’d cough so hard I’d almost be sick…this does get better. Ive been vaping for 2 years now, 6mg nicotine, no hoarseness or cough 🙂

I’ve been vaping for about 6 weeks after being a pack a day smoker for 40 years. I felt really good the first week or so but then came down with one of the worst colds I’ve had in my life! I couldn’t breathe, my lungs were wet like a swamp, had to go on antibiotics. The ordeal lasted for weeks. OK, cold is gone but I still don’t have the breathing capabilities as when i smoked! I am suspecting the vaping but I feel too vulnerable to stop…scared that I will go back to smoking. What i want to know is: has anybody else had problems breathing after switching to vaping?

I just started vaping yesterday and im already noticing symptoms of nicotine overdose ! and that describes alot of the posts !! particulary the copd guy ! I suggest either shake your bottle or cut it !! Im gonna start cutting my juice with vg now that i know thats the main ingridient !! I think if u make your own that u are suppose to heat the flasks so the ingridients mix properly and i dont think most homebrews do !

I used to smoke cigars daily, and it had been 4 years of that…but i started feeling way out of shape from it, because it suppressed my mood and caused a feeling of temporary stress relief which didn’t make my problems go away, and also made me feel more sluggish which in turn slowed me down.. though when i switched 100% to vaping only i felt the same addiction, and i was told by every vaping shop around that it was 100% safe, after a year of vaping I noticed weird popping sounds when i’d exhale, and a weird pain in my chest, rite between my shoulder blades in my core. i thought nothing of it…but after another six months this pain increased… to the point where i’d have to take pain killers every morning at 3:00 am, like clock work every day… So needless to say I’ve quite cold turkey, I feel allot better, I also have started working out again, which gives me a real sense of stress relief and one that lasts.

I think many people vape because like smoking it relives stress, and also feels relaxing. Unfortunately working out initially is allot harder but the benefits far out weigh the smoking and vaping. Which i’m sure everyone on hear already knows…and thats why this forum even exists…because people are noticing there health dwindling,

It amazes me how nicotine addicts cannot believe that it is a deadly substance. They makes excuses and refuse to accept facts. Whether you vape or smoke, you are fooling yourself if you think nicotine is safe. Please do yourself a favor, stop wasting your money and abusing your body. Stop the unhealthy habit that has no value, except making the tobacco industry richer. Take a hold of your life. Vaping is only a crutch and introduces new younger generation. As a country,we have spent billions to educate citizens about the harmful effects of smoking, and yet we are now seeing a surge in vaping in teens.

Vaping is a way people are quitting smoking woman! We are well aware nicotine is not good for us nor do we think it doesn’t effect us negatively, but these people who were addicted to cigarettes for many years, the chemical and the habit…and are trying to become healthier by vaping…so back off … Before, in my day… it was a surge in smoking teens, now there’s a surge they’re vaping…this shocks you?

I’ve gone back and forth from cogs and vape for a long time. I finally found a mod/tank combo that gives me the “hit” I wanted. I’m feeling better and not as sluggish at work… I’m a carpenter BTW…. As far as I’m concerned ANYTHING is better than smoking…… Just saying!

Vaping is a miracle. I haven’t smoked one cigarette in over a year now and there is no doubt it is because vaping helped me kick the habit and I feel incredibly liberated from the bonds of evil, nasty, smelly cigarettes.

I had my yearly checkup about 2 weeks ago. I didn’t mention to my doctor that I quit smoking. After listening to my chest and lungs, my DOCTOR said “you quit smoking? Your lungs sound very clear” and I responded with a joyous YES!

The difficulty in quitting smoking is that, let’s face it, you’re quitting something you enjoy. Vaping is an analog for cigarettes, therefore you’re not giving up the smoking experience – just giving up the hundreds of carcinogenic compounds, smell, expense, filth and social stigma of being a cigarette smoker while still enjoying a puff.

Vaping is a different taste so it takes some commitment but once you get used to it, you’ll wonder how you ever smoked disgusting cigarettes.

My first day I committed to quit using a vape was a cakewalk. I couldn’t believe how easy my first day was and I never looked back.

I switched to vaping two years ago. It was not my first attempt but rather the third or the fourth. I was happy that I finally said bye-bye to my Camel light. I really enjoyed the vaping using my RTA and RDA for awhile until I started experiencing some dizziness and occasional headaches .. I reduced the necotine level from 12 to 6 and then down to 3. I felt ok for six or seven months , then the problems returned. Headaches, high blood pressure, diarrhea. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to go back to smoking but the vaping makes me feel not good either…

It took many years after that for them to stop letting you smoke in public, in 1992, they quit letting people smoke at the snack bar in Walmart. I remember in the late 70’s there were still ashtrays in hospitals.

Vaping: I have been vaping for over 3 years now after smoking for 20 years. In the last week I have moved to vaping with Zero nicotine, And the changes to the body are unbelievable. Switching from a Tabaco product to a Vape if you have been a smoker for a long period will see you sometimes having a cold in the first few weeks maybe months on and off. For myself I was still coughing up tar 6 months after quitting.

In the last week removing the nicotine from my Vape has had the following changes..

My skin is visibly clearer.
I am able to breath through my nose a lot easier.
My eyes do not feel so dry, The whites of my eyes seem whiter.
Hart burn at night has all but vanished.
I am getting off to sleep so much easier.

all this in under a week, So for me the removal of the nicotine from the Vape is 95% positive, Though there were withdrawal symptoms but very mild, nothing like when you try quitting the Tabaco product not even close. So what I did with regard to withdrawal symptoms is to have two tanks one with 0 nicotine the other with 0.3.. I would do my best to go as long as I could without taking in the nicotine 0.3. Then use the 0.3 tank just the once or twice a day.. In less than a week I know longer needed the 0.3 I just hit on the 0 Vape now. The next move is to remove the Vape altogether.

Our daughter recently started vaping. Though she doesn’t do in the house, she blew the smoke towards my face and now my face is tingly all over. Could I be having allergic reaction to the chemicals from the Vape?